The Northern Road Employment and Training Hub at Penrith, where a
new generation of skilled Western Sydney workers are being trained, has
been officially opened today.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul
Fletcher said the purpose-built employment hub is training local
jobseekers and placing them into apprenticeships, traineeships and other
construction related careers as part of the Australian and NSW
Governments’ 10-year Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, to which the
Turnbull Government is committing $2.9 billion.

The plan will ensure Western Sydney capitalises on
the economic benefits that will flow from the Turnbull Government’s
commitment to building
Western Sydney Airport.

“The plan is estimated to support 4,000 direct and
indirect
jobs over the life of the various projects, with the new hub part of
the $190 million contract to build The Northern Road upgrade from
Glenmore Parkway to Jamison Road,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The hub is being delivered in partnership with
Lendlease, to provide some of the region’s most vulnerable people
with pre-vocational skills, traineeships, internships, trade
qualifications and jobs with contractors and subcontractors.

“With this historic investment in infrastructure,
it’s critical that a pipeline of skilled people is created to supply
current projects and leave a legacy of capable Western Sydney workers
ready to tackle future projects.

“So far 910 full time equivalent jobs have been
created through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan with the number
expected to grow as work ramps up, so it is vital that training starts
now.”

NSW Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the
Employment Hub was working with vocational education providers including
TAFE NSW and government agencies to deliver the training and jobs to
Aboriginal Australians, young people, long-term unemployed and those
facing barriers to employment.

“Infrastructure is about more than bridges, roads and
airports, it is an opportunity to create pathways for the next
generation of apprentices and workers in NSW,” Mr Ayres said.

“Initiatives like this will provide a fresh start for
so many people, giving them an opportunity to secure jobs and learn new
qualifications while helping deliver projects of long-term benefit to
the state.

“Western Sydney is Australia’s third largest economy
which is why continued investment is vital to the nation’s economic
prosperity.”

NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said future hub
graduates represent the next generation of skilled workers who will help
to build the future world class infrastructure needed to keep powering
Western Sydney.

“Western Sydney is going through an unprecedented
transport infrastructure boom, requiring a diverse range of skillsets to
build the projects which will keep the state moving,” Minister Pavey
said.

“This investment in Western Sydney is helping to
transform the local economy by giving businesses the confidence to
invest, expand and create new jobs.

“These projects are critical in linking the South
West Priority Growth Area and the North West Priority Growth Area while
also supporting the economic benefits from building the Western Sydney
Airport.”

Lendlease CEO Engineering and Services Craig Laslett
said The Northern Road Employment and Training Hub would build on the
company’s track record of creating meaningful employment and training
opportunities in the construction industry.

“There’s never been a better time to enter the
construction industry in NSW. Starting in a new industry can be tough
for anyone but The Northern Road Employment and Training Hub will make
it easy for newcomers to the industry, providing training, employment
and support in a one-stop-shop.”

The Hub will provide pre-vocational skills programs,
traineeships, internships and trade qualifications tailored to project
jobs with contractors and subcontractors with the potential to extend to
other nearby projects as work starts